San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-04-16
THE SPEAKING,
AND GRAND MILITARY CONCERT

Held Y Yesterday AFTERNOON AZ buo opIluBS
Thousands were Present.
The picnic at the Springs yesterday
afternoon was perhaps attended by a
larger number OF people than have as
sembled at this pleasure resort for long
time, Every street car and other con-
veyance was kept busy in transporting
the thousands who were en- route to the
merry-making. The festivities began
promptly at 2:30 by the orchestra rend-
ering fine selection, and after two or
| three pieces were played, and had been
applauded by the multitude, the inter-
mission for the speaking was given.
Mr.. Hanschke, the president OF the Ssen-
| geTfest, began his Grafton, In German,
| by saying that after ten years had
| elapsed we have again assembled in San
Antonio to celebrate our song festival,
and that after being together three
days we find that we are
| all brothers In our love for wine, wOm-
| en- and song. The old saying is
| true, that he VINO loves not wine, women
and song Is indeed unfortunate, and can
not appreciate these elements to en-
| joyment and sociability. According to
our old custom we forget sorrow and
trouble by listening to sweet music and
our ideas and practices In this regard
are now becoming widespread over the
whole country and our song festivals are
multiplying throughout the land. Our
song fest has brought thousands Of
visitors to our city and not one OF these
will say that their time has been lost or
ill-spent.
He paid high compliment to the
ladies, who always contribute to the
highest enjoyment of mans life, In all
the finer feelings OF the head and heart.
Woman yields her frail sceptre In the
home circle, In society, In the arts
and sciences, in politics and even
in war, until 1t really becomes
the mighty weapon of Hercules,
terrible In its power. Then with wO-
man, and with wine and song. 1t is
hardly necessary to wish for more to
make life enjoyable. We never have
been together with wine and song,
around the festive board without think
ing of and singing of our wives or our
ladies.
Germans, in their pleasures never go
to excess, but are always temperate and
we give nobody occasion to say we do
wrong.
The eloquent orator paid high trib-
ute to the liberal institutions Of Amer
lea, that have elevated the already
liberal ideas of the German and gave
still greater impetus to our cultivation
of the arts and the sciences and litera-
ture. 1t Is with sorrow that we realize
a gathering cloud to our liberties and
our freedom of enjoyment. Is
not this great gathering here
strong protest against the
rising specter of prohibition and
the curtailmeDt of our personal liberty?
Is it possible that anybody can partici-
pate in our innocent amusements and
then go and enact strong laws rs arbi-
trary as the old blue laws of the Puri-
tans, that we shall not drink on Sunday,
or otherwise violate these iron bound
behests of the temperance advocates.
The Germans believe in temperance but
not prohibition. They never have given
cause for the enactment OF these laws
and never will, but are not In harmony
with them, and on the End OF next Au-
gust they should come out 10 the polls
and to man say what Ii shall be by
casting his ballot as his own conscience
and sense of duty dictates.
During the progress OF his speech, at
every good point he made, he was inter-
rupted with cheers of approval and sf-
ter the conclusion the applause WAS tre-
mendous.
Judge Jacob Waelder followed Mr..
Hanschke by delivering the Grafton in
English. He explained the origin of the
Saengerfest and its history down to the
present day. He paid high tribute to
the culture of the Germans in the arts
and sciences. The Saengerfest is not
confined to the Germans; they have
similar festivals in the North and East.
The great Boston jubilee was Saenger-
fest with an English name. Mention
was made and eulogies passed upon the
great German, French, English and
other composers.
The Judge, after thus outlining the
origin and aims Of the Saengerfest, con-
cluded by few words of encouragement
for the continuation of the festival and
then introduced Governor l.. S. Ross,
who was upon the platform during the
pr vious speech making, though only
those who recognized the executive had
known this. The governors remarks
we're not upon prohibition. to be sure.
He did not even call for glass of water,
although some one in the crowd called
out to "get him a glass of water" He
complimented them on their state,
their festival, on their officers, etc, and
wound up with we'll turned pOetical
quotation. Ex-Governor Lubbock fol-
lowed him, and was followed by Land
Commissioner Hall.
Then several more selections we're
given by the orchestra and the festivi-
ties were brought to close, a little be-
fore nightfall, although great many
remained and enjoyed the dancing in
the pavilion at night.
On the return to the city, the major
ity of the singers repaired to the Com
mers," at Turner hall, and great many
with their ladies attended the opera, or
private family gatherings, Of which
there were several.